SEALED-TOP GAS BURNER WITH INTEGRATED SECONDARY AIR SUPPLY

Abstract: This invention relates to gas range burners having a sealed top and an integrated secondary air supply. Such structures of this type, generally, supply secondary air to the flame without compromising the cleanability of the burner.

Description: SEALED-TOP OAS BURNER WITH INTEGRATED SECONDARY AIR SUPPLY Rackyroun of the Invention Field of the Invention This invention relates to gas range burners having a sealed top and an integrated secondary air supply. Such structures of this type, generally, supply secondary air to the flame through additional porting in the burner without compromising the cleanability of the burner. Description of the Related Art It is known, that the sealed-top design of spill-proof burners on gas cooking appliances offers the advantage of cleanability by preventing spills and drainage underneath the cook top. However, the sealed-top design also prevents necessary secondary air from approaching the flame, and, equally important, greatly reduces the stability of the burner to disturbances in the surrounding air. This is because upon sudden motion of an oven or cabinet door an undesirable vacuum is created at the burner ports due to construction of the sealed-top design. This vacuum can cause the flame to be drawn back into the burner port, thus causing extinction-. Also, the sealed top design can reduce airflow " to the flame, thereby causing undesirable carbon monoxide (CO) emissions. Therefore, a more advantageous burner, then, would be presented if the necessary secondary air could be supplied to the flame without compromising the cleanability of the burner. It is apparent from the above that there exists a need in the art for a burner which has a sealed top, and which at least equals the cleanability characteristics of the known burners, but which at the same time is able to supply the necessary secondary air to the flame. It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill this and other needs in the art in a manner more apparent to the skilled artisan once given the following disclosure. Summary of the Invention Generally speaking, this invention fulfills these needs by providing a sealed-top burner, comprising a cooktop means, a base means located adjacent to said cooktop means, a fuel inlet means located adjacent to said base means, a first air inlet means located adjacent to said fuel inlet means and said base means, a second air inlet means located substantially on said base means, and a cap means located at a predetermined distance away from said base means to provide a burner port means such that said burner port means is substantially located above said cooktop means. In certain preferred embodiments, the base means includes a splitter ring. Also, the first air inlet means is the primary air inlet means. Finally, the second air inlet means is the secondary air inlet. In another further preferred embodiment, secondary air is supplied to the flame without compromising the cleanability of the burner. The preferredTburner, according to this invention offers the following advantages: easy cleanability; reduced CO emissions; increased flame stability; improved secondary air supply; good durability; good economy; and high strength for safety. In fact, in many of these preferred embodiments, these factors of cleanability, CO emissions, flame stability, and secondary air supply are optimized to an extent that is considerably higher than heretofore achieved in prior, known burners. Brief Description of the Drawing The above and other features of the present invention which will be more apparent as the description proceeds are best understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like char¬ acter represent like parts throughout the sever views and in which: Figure 1 is a side plan view of a sealed-top gas range burner with an integrated secondary air supply, according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a side plan view of the sealed-top gas range burner, taken along lines 2-2 of Figure 1, according to the present invention; and Figure 3 is a side plan view of the sealed- top gas range burner, taken along lines 3-3 of Figure 1, according to the present invention; and Figure 4 is a graphical illustration of reduced CO emission when the present invention is employed with CO, in ppm, plotted against burner input rate, in BTU/hr. Detailed Description of the Invention With reference to Figure 1, there is illustrated sealed- top gas range burner 2. Burner 2 includes, in part, conventional cook top 4, base 6, splitter ring 8, conventional cap 10, fuel port 12, and air port 14. Base 6 and splitter ring 8, preferably, are constructed of any suitable heat resistant material. With respect to Figure 2, air port 14 is more clearly illustrated. Figure 2 also illustrates that burner 2 includes fuel orifice 16 and secondary air inlet 18. As can be see in Figure 2, splitter ring 8 is raised above secondary air inlet 18 such that secondary air 24 can be provided into burner port 14 along the direction of arrow B while fuel is introduced into burner 2 by fuel orifice 16 along the direction of arrow A. Finally, with respect to Figure 3, fuel port 12 is more clearly illustrated. As can be seen in Figure 3, a portion of splitter ring 8 substantially covers over secondary air inlet 18 to prevent secondary air from entering into fuel port 12. Finally, as can be seen in Figure 3, due to the fact that splitter ring 8 covers over secondary air inlet 18, only fuel from fuel orifice 16 and primary air 22 enter into fuel port 12 along the direction of arrow C. During the operation of burner 2, secondary air 24 is provided by integrating the burner ports 14 with secondary air inlet 18 that are dedicated to supplying air from underneath cooktop 4. This is made possible through the use of splitter ring 8 and by separating burner cap 10 from base 6. Fuel is emitted from fuel orifice 16 along the direction of arrow A. Primary air 22 (Figure 3) is entrained, mixed and burned with fuel in a conventional manner, then exits the burner through ports 12. However, additional air inlets 18 in the bottom of burner 2 allow secondary air 24 to enter and pass through burner 2 to the flame (not shown) without mixing with the fuel (Figure 2). This secondary air 24 which enters through secondary air inlet 18 and is emitte<£through burner port 14 along the direction of arrow B greatly improves the combustion efficiency of burner 2 while inlets 18 improve the stability of the burner 2. Air ports 14 are in the same plane as fuel ports 12 and are above the plane of cooktop 4. This will prevent large spills from draining under burner 2. The removable splitter ring 8 allows any splashes which enter either through fuel port 12 or air port 14 to be easily cleaned. Figure 4 illustrates the CO emissions from a conventional sealed-top burner and the sealed-top burner of the present invention. As can be seen in Figure 4, the CO emissions from the conventional burner are higher than the CO emissions from the burner of the present invention. This is due to the secondary air ports 18 between the fuel ports 12 that feed secondary air 24 from under the cooktop directly into the flame. It is to be understood that at very low inputs, secondary air entrainment is unimportant and CO is unaffected. Once given the above disclosure, many other features, modification or improvements will become apparent to the skilled artisan. Such features, modifications or improvements are, therefore, considered to be a part of this invention, the scope of which is to be determined by the foUowing claims.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A sealed-top burner, comprising: a cooktop means; a base means located adjacent to said cooktop means; a fuel inlet means located adjacent to said base means; a first air inlet means located adjacent to said fuel inlet means and said base means; a second air inlet means located substantially on said base means; and a cap means located at a predetermined distance away from said base means to provide a burner port means such that said burner port means is substantially located above said cooktop means. 2. The burner, as in Claim 1, wherein said first air inlet means is further comprised of: a primary air inlet. 3. The burner, as in Claim 1, wherein said second air inlet means is further .comprised of: a secondary air inlet. 4. The burner, as in Claim 1, wherein said burner is further comprised of a splitter ring means. 5. The burner, as in Claim 4, wherein said splitter ring means is further comprised of: a fuel port means. 6. The burner, as in Claim 4, wherein a portion of said splitter ring means substantially covers at least one of said second air inlet means. 7. The burner, as in Claim 4, wherein a portion of said splitter ring means is located at a predetermined distance away from said second air inlet means. 8. The burner, as in Claim 1, wherein said secondary air inlet means is located substantially above said cooktop means. 9. The burner, as in Claim 4, wherein said splitter ring means is located substantially above said cooktop means.

Inventors: MAUGHAN JAMES ROLLINS, MAUGHAN, JAMES, ROLLINS
Applicants: GEN ELECTRIC, GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Application year: 1994
Main classification: F23D14
IPC codes: F23D14, F24C3